It is also noteworthy that Abbas has chosen an Israeli citizen to be among Fatah's decision-makers. This is consistent with the PA message to Israeli Arabs to see themselves as part of the Palestinian national movement, and to view all of the land of the State of Israel as part of a future Palestinian state that will replace Israel.

This new appointment of a terrorist was announced right after Abbas sent a message to Israelis demonstrating on Saturday for "Two states - One hope" at Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, in which he stated that "the opportunity [for peace] still exists, and it cannot be missed when our hand is extended in peace that is created between those who are brave." [Haaretz, May 27, 2017]

Honoring a murderer by appointing him member of the Fatah party's decision-making body contradicts Abbas' message to Israel and the international community that he "extends his hand in peace."

Significantly, the PA Minister of Justice indicated that it was Abbas himself who chose to appoint the murderer to this top position in Fatah:

"[PA] Minister of Justice Ali Abu Diyak emphasized that the decision of the Fatah Movement leadership - led by President Mahmoud Abbas - to appoint the veteran prisoner Karim Younes to the Fatah Central Committee is the clearest and severest response to the campaign being led by Israel to accuse the prisoners, Martyrs (Shahids), and the Palestinian struggle of terror."

[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 28, 2017]

PLO's Director of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Karake welcomed the appointment, claiming that it constitutes a statement that the Palestinian prisoners "are not terrorists and not criminals" but "freedom prisoners and fighters":

Director of PLO Commission of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Karake: "I want to note an additional achievement, which was a political response by the Palestinian leadership when the Fatah Revolutionary Council made a decision to appoint prisoner Karim Younes, the most veteran of the prisoners, as a member of the Fatah Movement Central Committee. I think that this is a very great and significant political response, [which says] that our prisoners are not terrorists and are not criminals. They are freedom prisoners and fighters who enjoy an important national, human, and legal status among their leadership and among their Palestinian people."

[Official PA TV, Palestine This Morning, May 28, 2017]

As part of the PA's campaign to present terrorists as heroes and role models, the PA recently named two town squares after Karim and Maher Younes.

In his statement regarding the appointment of Younes, the minister of justice further glorified all terrorist prisoners:

"The prisoners and Martyrs are the spearhead of the freedom fighters, symbols of our legitimate national struggle, and conscience of the Palestinian people..."

The following are the reports announcing the appointment of murderer Younes to Fatah's Central Committee:

Headline: "Abu Diyak: The decision to appoint prisoner Younes to the Fatah Central Committee is the clearest response to the occupation"

"[PA] Minister of Justice Ali Abu Diyak emphasized that the decision of the Fatah Movement leadership - led by [PA] President Mahmoud Abbas - to appoint the veteran prisoner Karim Younes (i.e., terrorist, murdered 1) to the Fatah Central Committee is the clearest and severest response to the campaign being led by Israel to accuse the prisoners, Martyrs (Shahids), and the Palestinian struggle of terror...

He noted that the prisoners and Martyrs are the spearhead of the freedom fighters, symbols of our legitimate national struggle, and conscience of the Palestinian people, and that they are victims of organized terror and state terror being implemented by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people. He also said that the solution to the Palestinian problem, the end of the conflict, and the establishment of a just and honorable peace will not be achieved by defining the legitimate Palestinian struggle against the occupation as a crime, but rather by ending the occupation."

[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 28, 2017]

Headline: "Most veteran prisoner Karim Younes was appointed as a member of the [Fatah] Central Committee"

"Director of [PLO] Commission of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Karake emphasized that the decision of the Fatah Movement's Revolutionary Council to approve the appointment of veteran Palestinian prisoner Karim Younes (i.e., terrorist, murdered 1) as a member of the Fatah Central Committee is an important step and of great significance, at a time when our prisoners have won after 41 days of hunger striking (see note below -Ed.).

Karake added: 'This decision is a clear response to the occupation, which is trying to isolate our prisoners and is implementing all types of abuse and torture against them. It constitutes a message to anyone that tries to apply pressure by making this cause controversial.'"

[Donia Al-Watan, independent Palestinian news agency, May 27, 2017]

A hunger strike launched by terrorist prisoners on April 17, 2017, was ended on May 27, 2017, after an agreement was reached. While the prisoners had issued a list of demands, reportedly only the demand to have the Red Cross reinstate a second monthly family visit for prisoners was agreed to. Nevertheless, the PA has claimed the development as a victory.

Karim Younes - an Israeli Arab serving a 40-year sentence for kidnapping and murdering Israeli soldier Avraham Bromberg in 1980 together with his cousin Maher Younes. Younes was originally sentenced to life in prison, but Israeli President Shimon Peres reduced his sentence in 2012.

Official PA TV program Palestine This Morning, on the end of the terrorist prisoners' hunger strike, hosting Director of PLO Commission of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Karake

Director of PLO Commission of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Karake: "I want to note an additional achievement, which was a political response by the Palestinian leadership when the Fatah Revolutionary Council made a decision to appoint prisoner Karim Younes (i.e., terrorist, murdered 1), the most veteran of the prisoners, as a member of the Fatah Movement Central Committee. I think that this is a very great and significant political response, [which says] that our prisoners are not terrorists and are not criminals. They are freedom prisoners and fighters who enjoy an important national, human, and legal status among their leadership and among their Palestinian people."

Official PA TV host: "This is a response to all of the rumors that the PA may be susceptible to certain pressures to stop the prisoners' allowances (i.e., salaries)."

[Official PA TV, Palestine This Morning, May 28, 2017]

The following is Abbas' message to the Israeli demonstrators at Rabin Square, as reported in the Israeli daily Haaretz:

"There isn't a voice stronger than the voice of just and inclusive peace, just like there isn't a voice stronger than the right of people for self-determination and freedom from the burden of occupation."

"The time has come to live, you and us, in peace, harmony, security and stability. The only way to end the conflict and the fight against terror in the region and the entire world is a solution of two states based on the 1967 borders, Palestine alongside Israel. We've accepted the decisions of the UN, recognized Israel and accepted the two-state solution, and the world has recognized the state of Palestine. Now the time has come for the State of Israel to recognize our state and end the occupation. The opportunity still exists, and it cannot be missed when our hand is extended in peace that is created between those who are brave."